Latest news with #socialimpact
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Finex and Human Initiative Bring Joy and Learning to 100 Children Through "Edu Trip" Charity Program
JAKARTA, INDONESIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 July 2025 - In collaboration with Human Initiative, Finex, an A+++ status Indonesian broker, hosted the Edu Trip program — a day of outdoor learning and play for 100 underprivileged children. The program strengthens the broker's commitment to education, empowerment, and social impact. The event took place at Rivera Outbound and Edutainment in Bogor, Indonesia. The Edu Trip is the second initiative of the partnership between Finex and Human Initiative, building on the success of the Finex Ramadan CSR campaign. The program aims to create lasting change in underserved communities by celebrating every child's right to play, learn, and grow in a supportive and joyful environment. The event brought together children between the ages of 7 and 15 and engaged them in various fun and educational activities designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Activities included team-building games and interactive learning experiences. Finex distributed 100 packages of basic goods to children to help meet their daily needs as part of its broader mission to support families in need. According to a Finex representative, Edu Trip is " about empowering children through joyful learning and showing them they are seen, valued, and supported". The representative thanked Human Initiative for the collaboration and shared vision of making a real difference, adding, "Finex will continue exploring meaningful partnerships that support vulnerable communities and promote sustainable change throughout Indonesia." About Human Initiative Human Initiative is a humanitarian organization that focuses on disaster relief, education, and sustainable community development. With a people-centered approach, it works to uplift individuals' dignity and ensure that no one is left behind. Hashtag: #Finex #CSR #Broker The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Finex Finex is a regulated Forex broker based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Finex provides competitive conditions for trading Forex currencies, commodities, and indices. Established in 2012, Finex is supervised by BAPPEBTI (Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Agency), an Indonesian regulator, which ensures the protection of traders' funds by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia. Finex
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
From renovated schools to lifesaving surgeries: How Abu Dhabi's 'Ahla Al Ataa' drives change
A low-income school transformed after nearly three decades, hundreds of children in the UAE given access to medical care they otherwise could not afford — these are just some of the real-life stories highlighted in Ahl Al Ataa (the People of Giving), a social impact video series by Ma'an, Abu Dhabi's Social Contribution Authority. The second season of the series was launched this week at an event celebrating the reach of its inaugural season — which, according to officials, has already engaged more than one million people across the community. 'The impact of Ma'an has reached over 1 million people since it kicked off around four years ago, as it provides a variety of community support programmes,' said Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development. 'The goal is to find a foundation for social giving to solve existing social problems. Today, we are focusing on a model from the society or from the programmes that we supported in the past.' Dr Al Khaili said the themes of Ahl Al Ataa are directly linked to findings from Abu Dhabi's quality of life surveys, which help authorities identify where support is most needed. 'For example, the first cycle of the quality-of-life surveys five years ago, showed the satisfaction of people of determination to be 30 per cent less than the other participants. So, we focused on this group,' he said. "And a special strategy was formed for them and launched by the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan himself. Ma'an took this strategy and started to focus on some aspects. So, Ma'an's first social incubator was allocated for people of determination.' Other community issues revealed through the surveys and then targeted by Ma'an include initiatives for senior citizens, fertility and Medeem — a model wedding programme. Among the organisations featured in the series was the Pakistani Community Welfare School, a non-profit campus that had operated without any major upgrades since it opened in 1992. 'Our building was very old and it was not a safe environment for the students,' said Farhat Jadoon, principal of the school. 'It's a welfare school, not funded by a third party, and the tuition fees are the lowest in the state, around 3,000 dirhams per year. So, within that budget we were unable to look into other aspects.' With Ma'an's support, the school was renovated over the summer break. 'They changed the flooring, changed the roof, improved the learning space… they made a very upskilled school clinic as well,' Jadoon said. 'They looked into every single detail… Without Ma'an, we wouldn't have been able to do it with our restricted financial budgets.' The results have been profound. Attendance has jumped from around 70 per cent to over 95 per cent, according to the principal. 'It's a good culture now,' she said. 'Now we are able to have many happenings in the school. Not just the students; now we are able to do it for the parents as well.' For the first time in its history, the school hosted an International Day, inviting students from Bangladeshi and Filipino schools, and was rated 'Good' by Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) inspectors. 'We are doing a lot of things for the first time,' said Jadoon. 'We have added clubs — karate club, music clubs, because now we have more space, shaded space is more important.' Operation Smile UAE The series has also brought visibility and funding to causes like Operation Smile UAE, which provides cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries to children and young adults. 'Ma'an has helped not only spread the word amongst everyone in Abu Dhabi… but also helped us raise funds to be able to pay for the surgeries that these children, their families, would never be able to afford,' said Morag Cromey-Hawke, Executive Director of Operation Smile UAE. 'It costs around 30,000 dirhams for a surgery and people that live here, they can't afford that type of funds when they're only on a small income.' Cromey-Hawke shared the story of Covenant, an eight-year-old boy from Ghana suffering from severe facial anomalies, including a cleft palate and orbital deformities. Thanks to the UAE's support, Covenant is set to undergo complex craniofacial surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London — at an estimated cost of 100,000 dirhams. 'We've raised the money for him,' Cromey-Hawke said. 'We're working with Operation Smile UK to see if they can help facilitate, because they will need to have accommodation. The hospital has helped us out and said… there's housing next door. We're working with three organisations and we're going to try and see if some of the airlines will help with flights and everything.' Providing free, safe surgeries Since receiving its licence in 2011, Operation Smile UAE has helped between 3,500 to 4,000 patients, providing free, safe surgeries and comprehensive care both locally and through international missions. While it initially operated as a resource country — recruiting medical volunteers and raising funds for programmes abroad — its UAE-based surgical operations began in 2017, in partnership with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Since then, the charity has supported over 150 cleft surgeries across the Emirates, in addition to providing dental care, nutrition support and speech therapy for children in need. 'His mother wants him to be just a regular little boy,' Cromey-Hawke added, 'doing the same as everyone else.' With Season 2 of Ahl Al Ataa now underway, Dr Al Khaili said the authority will continue to spotlight and support grassroots initiatives that address real challenges on the ground. 'Based on the challenges [from the quality of life survey], next year, God willing, there will be another group of coverages on other challenges,' he said. The idea, he added, is to use storytelling as a form of civic scaffolding — inspiring others to contribute while building institutional memory for how community support works in practice.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Finex and Human Initiative Bring Joy and Learning to 100 Children Through "Edu Trip" Charity Program
JAKARTA, INDONESIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 July 2025 - In collaboration with Human Initiative, Finex an A+++ status Indonesian broker, hosted the Edu Trip program — a day of outdoor learning and play for 100 underprivileged children. The program strengthens the broker's commitment to education, empowerment, and social impact. The event took place at Rivera Outbound and Edutainment in Bogor, Edu Trip is the second initiative of the partnership between Finex and Human Initiative, building on the success of the Finex Ramadan CSR campaign. The program aims to create lasting change in underserved communities by celebrating every child's right to play, learn, and grow in a supportive and joyful event brought together children between the ages of 7 and 15 and engaged them in various fun and educational activities designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Activities included team-building games and interactive learning experiences. Finex distributed 100 packages of basic goods to children to help meet their daily needs as part of its broader mission to support families in to a Finex representative, Edu Trip is ". The representative thanked Human Initiative for the collaboration and shared vision of making a real difference, adding,Human Initiative is a humanitarian organization that focuses on disaster relief, education, and sustainable community development. With a people-centered approach, it works to uplift individuals' dignity and ensure that no one is left #Finex #CSR #Broker The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Finex Finex is a regulated Forex broker based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Finex provides competitive conditions for trading Forex currencies, commodities, and indices. Established in 2012, Finex is supervised by BAPPEBTI (Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Agency), an Indonesian regulator, which ensures the protection of traders' funds by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia.
Tahawul Tech
2 days ago
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
Kanessa Muluneh champions fearless future in gaming and Web3
The founder of Rise of the Fearless discusses empowering women in tech, gaming for social good, and why Dubai is the perfect launchpad for emerging markets. Kanessa Muluneh, founder of Rise of the Fearless, brings a bold and purposeful perspective to the intersection of gaming, Web3, and social impact. Muluneh's journey—from Ethiopia to the Netherlands, and now Dubai—reflects a deep commitment to creating opportunities for women and underrepresented communities in the digital economy. In this conversation with Muluneh shares how the UAE's proactive tech environment is enabling visionaries like her to reshape the gaming industry and foster innovation across emerging markets. Interview Excerpts: What are your thoughts on the UAE gaming industry and where do you see it heading, especially given the government's proactive efforts in launching it as a full-fledged sector? What I'm about to say isn't necessarily to promote the UAE—it's simply an observation. I think it's very smart of the government to focus on building a gaming ecosystem. Right now, Silicon Valley is hard to access, and frankly, I don't want them on board in my case. I'm focused on emerging markets—Africa and Asia—which are often overlooked or misrepresented. The UAE, however, is creating the next Silicon Valley, with global access and fewer limitations. It's not just for one group or nation. Considering the global gaming industry had a dip recently, primarily due to the US economy, it's vital to look beyond the traditional powerhouses. The UAE government has the foresight—just like it did with crypto and Web3—by allowing innovators to build freely. 'If you have a good product, you know exactly who to reach out to. That access and openness make the UAE a smart hub for the gaming industry.' What inspired you to start Rise of the Fearless? What was the trigger behind its inception? I approached it from a business mindset. I was born in Ethiopia and decided to return to my roots with the intent of creating something meaningful. I realised that for a business to survive in Africa, it must address a widespread problem, not just cater to a niche. During the NFT boom, I started a TikTok channel in my native language, discussing NFTs as a way to practise the language and educate others. I then launched my own NFT project as an informal online class. The game-changer was when someone from rural Africa bought my NFT using crypto. It showed me how digital products and decentralised finance could empower underserved communities. We initially considered launching a marketplace like Amazon but quickly realised logistics were a nightmare. That's when I turned to gaming, inspired by Axie Infinity's impact in the Philippines. The youth in Africa needed hope and opportunity. Gaming could give them both—a new industry and a financial future. How would you encourage more women in the UAE to consider gaming as a career, especially in light of initiatives like the Dubai Programme for Gaming (DPG) under the Dubai Future Foundation? This applies not only to gaming but to all areas of tech. I don't believe women should compete directly with men in male-dominated sectors. Instead, they should find niches where their strengths are most valued. For example, women tend to excel in marketing due to our emotional intelligence, and in management or HR roles where interpersonal dynamics matter. In my own team, it's 95% men—not because I exclude women, but because it's difficult to find female candidates. Rather than trying to prove we're better or equal to men, women can strategically enter the industry in roles where we bring unique value—whether it's marketing, community building, operations, or even as investors. These entry points give us power and influence, and from there, we can grow. How many daily active users currently play Rise of the Fearless? When can we expect the next version of the game? We currently have 3,000 daily active users. Marketing has been paused as we're preparing to launch a new version. The deadline was set for the 20th, but as is common in gaming, deadlines are often missed. So, I would say it should be out within the next two weeks—but to stay safe, let's just say the next update is expected soon.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
5 Lessons To Guide The Next Generation Of DEI Leaders
Antoine Andrews is the Chief Diversity & Social Impact Officer at SurveyMonkey. I recently heard something from author John Maxwell that stuck with me: 'A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. Leadership is an action, not a position.' As a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) leader, I couldn't agree more. We have a unique opportunity to shape the culture we believe in, and that includes lighting the path for those who will cast an even bigger shadow. With that in mind, I want to share a few lessons with the next generation of DEI leaders to ensure we keep showing up as a consistent presence through any storm. Because the clouds will break, and the impact of the work will matter more than ever. 1. Stay laser-focused on people. I'm often asked why DEI faces so much pushback, especially as we continue to observe companies and governmental institutions reducing or cutting their diversity programs. However, this question has kept the conversation away from what's most important: people. Our work is fundamentally about talent, opportunity, experience and culture—all of which center around individuals. Instead of getting caught up in what people think about DEI, let's focus on why it's vital. But don't just present statistics. Humanize the data by connecting it to real employee experiences to illustrate individual impact. Frame every DEI initiative, from recruiting to retention, through the lens of how it genuinely improves lives and opportunities. Be sure to prioritize employee listening, which could look like scheduling frequent, formal or informal check-ins or conducting feedback surveys. Additionally, empower managers and employees to understand how DEI principles, including psychological safety, directly benefit their development, team cohesion and well-being. 2. Look inward for your true north. Controversy related to diversity and social issues will inevitably arise. But getting distracted by external noise is a luxury we cannot afford. It pulls valuable time and energy away from established DEI priorities. Hold fast to your missions instead of getting sidetracked by headlines or what other companies are doing. To strengthen your internal compass, define your nonnegotiables. Work with leadership to clearly articulate your organization's core values and their relation to DEI. When external pressures arise, refer back to these principles. This provides the true north that will anchor your strategy and prevent reactive shifts based on fleeting trends. 3. Contextualize pressing issues with courage. As a DEI professional, you can bring compelling social issues forward to help other leaders better understand and potentially act upon them. Our conscience doesn't tell us what to do; it makes us revisit what's in front of us until clarity emerges. Be that voice—offering clarity, context and conscience in moments that call for courage. Share your perspective, taking into account your company's context and your own unique lived expertise. This might look like finding opportunities for employees to share their authentic experiences. Establishing a personal connection to real-world issues helps build empathy and understanding more effectively than data alone. Before bringing a complex issue to the table, always prepare leadership for nuance. Equip them with discussion points, questions and varied perspectives. Help them understand the "why," potential impacts and how the organization might thoughtfully engage or respond. 4. Ask the tough questions—and listen! Four in 10 workers (39%) are uncomfortable providing open and honest feedback to HR, according to some of our research at SurveyMonkey. This highlights a critical need to give employees regular opportunities to share how they're experiencing the organization through their respective lenses. Encourage others to pose difficult questions, and have those uncomfortable conversations that lead to growth and understanding. It's okay not to have all the answers right away. Your goal can simply be creating the space needed for collaborative learning and finding solutions together. Don't underestimate the power of open-ended questions that probe for deeper understanding, like "Tell me more about that experience" or "What could have made that situation better for you?" This uncovers the "why" behind the data. Crucially, model vulnerability yourself. Show that you're open to difficult feedback, and share moments where you learned from an uncomfortable conversation or changed your perspective. This encourages others to do the same, which fosters a truly feedback-rich culture. 5. Hold leaders accountable. Your role is heavy, so redistribute the weight. Every organizational leader is responsible for creating an inclusive environment, and when they embrace their role as stewards for DEI, they set expectations. It's crucial to be specific about what DEI-related goals each leader is responsible for and hold them to them. One way you can do this is by integrating DEI into performance management. Work with executive leadership to incorporate specific, measurable DEI goals into every leader's and manager's objectives. Equip people leaders with the right tools—including training, resources and data—to meet their DEI objectives. Then regularly review these goals to ensure the commitment isn't just aspirational but integrated into operational practice. Finally, celebrate and publicize both successes and lessons learned. When leaders achieve significant DEI milestones, publicly recognize their efforts to reinforce the work's importance and motivate others. Equally important, openly discuss challenges and lessons learned when goals are not met, fostering continuous improvement. When rooted in these principles, your leadership as a DEI professional won't just shift perceptions. It will drive tangible, lasting impact and create workplaces where everyone can thrive. Forbes Agency Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
